A WEE COUNTY community group has undertaken a number of training opportunities ahead of opening their own café in the new year.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) has been working in partnership with the Tullibody Community Development Trust to deliver food hygiene and first aid training for the group that plans to open a café next year.

Other Clackmannanshire community organisations were also invited along to the training, with volunteers from Tullibody Community Garden, The Wayahead Play Scheme and the Guild also taking part.

Tullibody Community Development Trust was recently set-up and has taken over the running of the Tullibody Civic Centre as part of a community asset transfer from Clackmannanshire Council.

The group has been working tirelessly to bring activities to the local community and it plays an important part in the development of the expanding town.

Residents are treated to a large number of activities and events thanks to the trust which offers a wide range of projects at the civic centre on a regular basis, including exercise classes for older adults, tai chi, yoga, burlesque chair dancing, wrestling, toddlers' groups, Citizens Advice Bureau outreach, Ochil View Housing drop-in, table tennis and a youth drop-in session on a Friday evening.

Now that the food hygiene and first aid training offered by CRT is complete, the trust plans to open a community café in the new year offering nutritious and affordable food.

Janette McGowan, chair of the Tullibody Community Development Trust, said: "We're committed to providing a range of services and activities to local people now we've taken over Tullibody Civic Centre.

"Thanks to the food hygiene and first aid training from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, we plan to open a community café in the new year which will provide lovely food, as well as a place to meet, for locals."

Nicky Wilson, a CRT trustee in Scotland, added: "We're pleased that the Tullibody Community Trust and other local organisations are able to benefit from our hygiene and first aid training which they all seem to enjoy and find worthwhile."